Dota 2

Sniper

Agility ranged hero, often played as a carry or nuker.

Sniper
Agility

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Full history

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Take Aim reworked in 7.29

116 lines of changes across 42 patches, condensed below to the ones that still matter.

35 buffs and 24 nerfs in total: roughly even.

Biggest ability changes

  • ▲
    Take Aim Active Bonus Attack Range rescaled from 100/150/200/250 to 75/150/225/300adjusted 23 times across 12 patches, net buff
  • ◆
    Headshot Slow Duration decreased from 0.5s to 0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5sadjusted 7 times across 6 patches, roughly even
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Can now be cast while rooted, but will not knock Sniper back if he is under the effect of rootadjusted 9 times across 6 patches, net buff
  • ▲
    Assassinate No longer amplifies attack damage to 100/110/120%adjusted 12 times across 7 patches, net buff
  • ▼
    Shrapnel Damage increased from 25/40/55/70 to 30/45/60/75adjusted 9 times across 8 patches, net nerf
  • ▼
    Keen Scope No longer applies on denies or buildingsadjusted 7 times across 4 patches, net nerf

Innate

  • ◆
    Keen Scope Increases Sniper's attack range by 100/200/300/400adjusted 2 times across 1 patch, roughly even

Aghanim’s upgrades

  • ▼
    Scepter Aghanim's Scepter Stun Duration decreased from 1/1.25/1.5s to 0.8/1/1.2schanged 4 times, latest shown
  • ▲
    Shard Shard cooldown reduced from 20 to 16changed 3 times, latest shown

Base stats

  • ▲
    Agility gain increased from 3.1 to 3.4adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net buff
  • ▼
    Strength gain reduced from 2.0 to 1.7
  • ▲
    Night vision increased from 1100 to 1400
  • ▲
    Base strength increased by 2
Talents changed
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent +55 Take Aim Attack Range Bonus replaced with +50 Take Aim Passive Attack Range
  • ◆
    Lv15 talent +30 Attack Speed replaced with +45 Attack Speed During Take Aim
  • ◆
    Lv20 talent +15 Take Aim Armor replaced with +2s Take Aim Duration
  • ◆
    Lv25 talent Shrapnel Charge Restore Time Reduction increased from 25s to 30s

Facets were part of the game from 7.36 and were removed in 7.41. Sniper had 5 facet changes in between.

Most recent change patch 7.41e, Jul 2026

  • ◆
    Concussive Grenade Can now be cast while rooted, but will not knock Sniper back if he is under the effect of root
Current abilities
  • ShrapnelConsumes a charge to launch a ball of shrapnel that showers the target area in explosive pellets. Enemies are subject to damage and slowed movement. Reveals the targeted area. Shrapnel charges restore every 35 seconds.
  • HeadshotSniper increases his accuracy, giving him a chance to deal 20 extra damage and knock back his enemies. Knockback distance increases based on how close the enemy is to Sniper. Headshots briefly slow enemy movement and attack speed by -100%.
  • Take AimPassively increases Sniper's attack range by 160. On cast, Sniper gains increased vision, Headshot chance, and attack range. Slows you by 65% for the duration and restricts your vision to a frontal cone.
  • Concussive GrenadeLaunches a grenade at the target area, dealing damage to enemies and knocking them and Sniper back. Enemies affected are disarmed and have their movement slowed after the knockback.
  • KS
    Keen Scope innateSniper’s attacks deal bonus damage for every 100 units of distance Sniper is from the target.
  • AssassinateSniper locks onto a target enemy unit and, after a short aiming duration, fires a devastating shot that deals Sniper's attack damage plus bonus damage at long range and mini-stuns the target. Whenever Sniper kills an enemy hero, Assassinate is refreshed.

What players buy on Sniper

Starting items

Early game

Mid game

Late game

Most bought first, from item purchases in recent professional matches (OpenDota, Nov 2026). Public games can differ.

Every Sniper change, patch by patch

All 116 changes Valve listed for Sniper since patch 7.06e, newest first. Take Aim reworked in 7.29. Last changed in 7.41e (Jul 2026).

Patch 7.41e

  • ◆
    Concussive Grenade Can now be cast while rooted, but will not knock Sniper back if he is under the effect of root

Patch 7.41d

  • ▼
    Keen Scope No longer applies on denies or buildings

Patch 7.41

  • ▼
    Keen Scope No longer levels with Assassinate
  • ▼
    Keen Scope No longer increases attack range
  • ◆
    Keen Scope Now increases damage from Sniper's attacks by 1.5% + 0.05% per level for every 100 units of distance between him and the target
  • ◆
    Keen Scope Also affects attack damage from Assassinate
  • ◆
    Take Aim Now passively grants 160/240/320/400 attack range
  • ◆
    Take Aim Active Bonus Attack Range rescaled from 100/150/200/250 to 75/150/225/300
  • ▼
    Assassinate No longer amplifies attack damage to 100/110/120%
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent +55 Take Aim Attack Range Bonus replaced with +50 Take Aim Passive Attack Range

Patch 7.40

  • ▼
    Assassinate Can no longer target invulnerable units
  • ▲
    Assassinate Attack Damage increased from 100% to 100/110/120%

Patch 7.39b

  • ▲
    Base stats Base armor increased by 1

Patch 7.39

  • ◆
    Take Aim Bonus Attack Range rescaled from 200 to 100/150/200/250
  • ▼
    Take Aim No longer increases armor
  • ▲
    Take Aim While active, Sniper's vision range is increased by 500/750/1000/1250 and his field of view is restricted to a 140 degree cone
  • ◆
    Take Aim He still shares vision with his team

Patch 7.38

  • ◆
    Take Aim Now has an overhead indicator when the ability is active
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent +10% Shrapnel Movement Slow replaced with +55 Take Aim Bonus Attack Range
  • ◆
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent +1s Take Aim Duration replaced with +150 Assassinate Damage
  • ◆
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent +30 Attack Speed replaced with +45 Attack Speed During Take Aim
  • ◆
    Lv20 talent Level 20 Talent +15 Take Aim Armor replaced with +2s Take Aim Duration

Patch 7.37d

  • ▼
    Facet Damage decreased from 120/180/240/300 to 90/160/230/300
  • ▼
    Headshot Slow Duration decreased from 0.5s to 0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5s

Patch 7.37

  • ▲
    Keen Scope Attack Range Bonus increased from 160/240/320/400 to 160/260/360/460
  • ▲
    Shrapnel Damage increased from 25/40/55/70 to 30/45/60/75
  • ◆
    Lv20 talent Level 20 Talent +100 Attack Range replaced with +30% Shrapnel Damage

Patch 7.36c

  • ▲
    Facet Movement Slow increased from 30/40/50/60% to 30/45/60/75%

Patch 7.36b

  • ▲
    Facet Damage delay decreased from 1.2s to 0.8s
  • ▲
    Keen Scope Attack Range Bonus increased from 100/200/300/400 to 160/240/320/400
  • ▼
    Lv25 talent Level 25 Talent Shrapnel Charge Restore Time Reduction increased from 25s to 30s

Patch 7.36

  • ◆
    Keen Scope New Innate ability. Passive, levels up with Assassinate
  • ◆
    Keen Scope Increases Sniper's attack range by 100/200/300/400
  • ◆
    Facet While active, Sniper isn't revealed in Fog of War when attacking enemies
  • ▼
    Facet Duration decreased to 1s, but the damage is multiplied by 4 and movement slow is multiplied by 2
  • ▲
    Headshot Now knockback distance increases with the proximity of the target to Sniper. Max knockback distance increased to 50
  • ◆
    Take Aim Passive Attack Range bonus moved to Innate ability
  • ▲
    Take Aim Now provides 5/10/15/20 bonus armor for the duration
  • ▲
    Take Aim Self-slow increased from 45/40/35/30% to 65%
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent +1s Take Aim Duration replaced with +10% Shrapnel Movement Slow
  • ◆
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent +15% Shrapnel Slow replaced with +1s Take Aim Duration
  • ◆
    Lv20 talent Level 20 Talent +25 Shrapnel DPS replaced with +100 Attack Range
  • ◆
    Lv20 talent Level 20 Talent +25 Headshot Knockback Distance replaced with +15 Take Aim Armor
  • ◆
    Lv25 talent Level 25 Talent +100 Attack Range replaced with +50 Max Headshot Knockback Distance
  • ◆
    Lv25 talent Level 25 Talent +6 Shrapnel Charges replaced with -25s Shrapnel Charge Restore time

Patch 7.34c

  • ▲
    Take Aim Passive Bonus Range increased from 100/200/300/400 to 130/220/310/400
  • ▲
    Assassinate Damage increased from 250/350/450 to 300/400/500

Patch 7.34

  • ◆
    Assassinate Now also performs an autoattack on the target
  • ▼
    Assassinate Damage decreased from 320/510/700 to 250/350/450
  • ◆
    Assassinate Is now refreshed whenever Sniper kills an enemy hero
  • ◆
    Assassinate This includes all kills by Sniper and not just ones from Assassinate
  • ▲
    Assassinate Mana Cost decreased from 175/225/275 to 175

Patch 7.33d

  • ▲
    Shrapnel Radius increased from 400 to 400/425/450/475

Patch 7.33c

  • ▲
    Take Aim Now provides +200 attack range when active

Patch 7.33

  • ▼
    Assassinate Aghanim's Scepter Stun Duration decreased from 1/1.25/1.5s to 0.8/1/1.2s
  • ▼
    Assassinate Info Duration decreased as a part of the comprehensive Disables Reduction
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Damage increased from 25 to 200
  • ▲
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent Shrapnel Slow increased from +14% to +15%
  • ▲
    Lv20 talent Level 20 Talent Shrapnel DPS increased from +24 to +25
  • ▼
    Lv20 talent Level 20 Talent Headshot Knockback Distance decreased from +28 to +25

Patch 7.32d

  • ▼
    Shrapnel Mana Cost increased from 50 to 75
  • ▼
    Shrapnel Radius decreased from 450 to 400

Patch 7.32

  • ◆
    Concussive Grenade Now cannot be used while Rooted or Leashed
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent +15 Damage replaced with +30 Headshot Damage

Patch 7.31d

  • ▲
    Assassinate Damage increased from 320/485/650 to 320/510/700

Patch 7.31

  • ▼
    Take Aim Mana cost increased from 25 to 50
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Cooldown reduced from 16s to 10s
  • ▼
    Concussive Grenade Impact damage reduced from 125 to 25

Patch 7.30

  • ▲
    Shrapnel Damage increased from 20/35/50/65 to 25/40/55/70
  • ▼
    Take Aim No longer grants True Strike
  • ▲
    Take Aim Active Self Move Speed slow increased from 25% to 45%/40%/35%/30%
  • ▲
    Take Aim Active Headshot Chance Increased from 70% to 100%
  • ▲
    Take Aim Cooldown reduced from 35/30/25/20 to 20/18/16/14
  • ▲
    Take Aim Mana Cost reduced from 50 to 25
  • ▼
    Take Aim Duration reduced from 4 to 3
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Knockback increased from 450 to 475
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Self Knockback increased from 425 to 475
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent 15% Cooldown Reduction replaced with +1s Take Aim Duration

Patch 7.29b

  • ▼
    Take Aim Active movement speed penalty reduced from 30% to 25%

Patch 7.29 Take Aim reworked

  • ▼
    Take Aim Active reworked. No longer gives double range for an attack. Now lasts 4 seconds and grants you True Strike and +30% Headshot chance. Causes you to move 30% slower. Cooldown: 35/30/25/20. Manacost: 50
  • ◆
    Concussive Grenade Now knocks sniper back 450 units away from the target direction
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Cast range increased from 550 to 600
  • ▲
    Lv25 talent Level 25 Talent increased from +5 Shrapnel to +6

Patch 7.28b

  • ▼
    Concussive Grenade Shard manacost reduced from 75 to 50
  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Shard cooldown reduced from 20 to 16

Patch 7.28a

  • ▲
    Concussive Grenade Shard now deals 125 damage

Patch 7.27b

  • ▼
    Shrapnel Damage reduced from 20/40/60/80 to 20/35/50/65
  • ▼
    Assassinate Scepter stun duration reduced from 1.5 to 1/1.25/1.5

Patch 7.26c

  • ▼
    Shrapnel Slow reduced from 15/20/25/30% to 12/18/24/30%
  • ▼
    Assassinate Scepter stun duration reduced from 1.8 to 1.5
  • ▼
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent reduced from 20% Cooldown Reduction to 15%
  • ▼
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent reduced from +16% Shrapnel Slow to +14%

Patch 7.25

  • ▲
    Base stats Base damage increased by 4
  • ▼
    Headshot Damage reduced from 30/60/90/120 to 20/50/80/110
  • ▼
    Assassinate Scepter cast time reduced from 1 to 0.5 seconds

Patch 7.23c

  • ▲
    Base stats Agility gain increased from 3.1 to 3.4

Patch 7.21d

  • ▼
    Shrapnel Replenish time reduced from 50 to 40
  • ▲
    Take Aim Active cooldown reduced from 15/12/9/6 to 9/8/7/6

Patch 7.21c

  • ▲
    Headshot Damage increased from 20/50/80/110 to 30/60/90/120
  • ▲
    Shrapnel Charge replenish rate improved from 55 to 50

Patch 7.21b

  • ▲
    Base stats Base strength increased by 2
  • ◆
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent changed from +15% Shrapnel Slow to +20%

Patch 7.21

  • ◆
    Headshot Now has a back knockback of 10
  • ◆
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent changed from +35 Shrapnel DPS to +15% Shrapnel Slow

Patch 7.20

  • ◆
    Take Aim Can now be activated to double your attack range for your next attack

Patch 7.19

  • ▲
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent increased from +25 Shrapnel DPS to +35

Patch 7.18

  • ▼
    Headshot Physical damage no longer ignores Spell Immmune units
  • ▲
    Headshot Damage increased from 15/40/65/90 to 20/50/80/110

Patch 7.17

  • ▲
    Assassinate Cast range increased from 2000/2500/3000 to 3000
  • ◆
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent changed from +15% Cooldown Reduction to +25%

Patch 7.16

  • ▲
    Base stats Night vision increased from 1100 to 1400

Patch 7.12

  • ▼
    Assassinate Manacost reduced from 175/275/375 to 175/225/275

Patch 7.07c

  • ▼
    Base stats Strength gain reduced from 2.0 to 1.7
  • ▲
    Lv10 talent Level 10 Talent increased from +12% Cooldown Reduction to +15%
  • ▲
    Lv15 talent Level 15 Talent increased from +20 Shrapnel DPS to +25

Patch 7.06e

  • ▲
    Base stats Agility gain increased from 2.5 to 2.7